Irrigation and Inter-Colonial Co-operation. 357 



From the above short account, it may be seen that, although 

 irrigation has attained its greatest development in tropical countries, 

 the white man, in arid countries like parts of South Africa, has found 

 it a necessity, and is rapidly increasing the irrigated area. It would 

 be remarkable if in South Africa alone, where water is badly wanted, 

 where the price of agricultural produce is probably higher than it is 

 anywhere else, and where so great a proportion of it is imported, 

 that irrigation should not be a success. 



In some countries irrigation is a vital necessity ; in others, it is 

 eminently desirable ; while in others it is not wanted. The Colonies 

 of South Africa fall under the second description, and in them 

 irrigation is much appreciated. They can accept with confidence as 

 a guide the experience of similarly situated countries, such as the 

 Western States of America, where irrigation has been a great success 

 and is rapidly extending. It is not necessary that the similitude 

 should be exact ; the underlying general principles can be followed, 

 the general results intelligently applied, and development more 

 quickly obtained by avoiding the mistakes which have elsewhere 

 been committed through inexperience. 



4. Advantages of Irrigation. 



The following may be stated as some of the advantages of 

 irrigation : — 



(a) Without it the success of agriculture cannot be assured in 

 the arid parts of South Africa. 



(b) It will permit more stock to be raised, as by it fodder 

 (such as oat hay) can be produced at a cheaper rate than it can be 

 imported, owing to its bulky nature ; moreover, green fodder, such 

 as lucerne, cannot be imported in a succulent state. In its turn, stock 

 raising will help irrigation by the manure produced by it. 



(c) It will cheapen the cost of living by reducing the amount 

 of imported produce. 



(d) It will afford congenial employment to the rural population, 

 which has never taken to mining. 



(e) Intense cultivation will mitigate the effects of the present 

 law of inheritance, by which estates are being gradually sub- 

 divided into otherwise unremunerative small holdings. It will thus 

 tend to prevent the formation of a poor white population. 



(f) It will permit of the formation of settlements with common 

 aims and objects, which will lead to the fusion of the white 

 races. 



(g) Irrigation in India and Egypt brings in to the State a 

 large return on the expenditure incurred upon it. It should, at 

 least, be self-supporting in this country, and will probably be 

 directly remunerative. 



(h) In India and Egypt it is recognised that the indirect 

 advantages of irrigation in increasing the wealth of agriculturists 

 conduce greatly to the advantage of the State, and thus justify the 



